Monthly Archives: December 2014

Dandruff may appear like harmless, but they are all over you even before you know it. Dandruff is the shedding of flaked-off dead cells from the scalp skin. It is an infectious condition caused by bacteria and fungi which and leads to excessive scales formation and itching.

Dandruff can spread by sharing of combs, towels, soaps, and hairbrushes. A number of factors contribute in the cause of dandruff, the most common ones being: Poor nutrition, deficiency of zinc, fungus, yeast infections, poor nutrition, use of highly alkaline soaps and shampoos.

Here some of the home remedies for dandruff :

1. Hot steam bath, especially on the scalp, is quite beneficial. Massage the scalp with hot oil and wrap a hot damp towel on the head for a few minutes.

2. Mix beetroot juice in vinegar and apply on the scalp.

3. Soak two tablespoons on Fenugreek (methi) seeds in water overnight. In the morning, grind the seeds which would have softened by then. Make a paste and apply it on the scalp. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with ritha solution or shikakai.

4. Mix together 1 tablespoon of pure apple juice and 3 tablespoon of warm water and massage into the scalp three times a week.

5. Washing hair with the powder of green gram is also a good way of treating dandruff.

6. Massage the scalp with warm sesame or olive oil. After massaging, wrap a warm towel on the head for a few minutes.

Vitamin C is the most important ingredient used in skin care treatments. Its ability to provide effective shield against the sun has made it an indispensable ingredient used in the cosmetic industry.

1. Sun Protection:
Vitamin C protects our skin from free radicals which we develop due to excess exposure to the sun, environmental pollution and regular smoking. The antioxidants in Vitamin C protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation and the effect of sunlight exposure.

2. Production of Collagen:
It gives the skin firmness and tones the skin. Collagen deficiency makes the skin dull and lifeless. Collagen rejuvenates the skin from the roots and reduces wrinkles and symptoms of ageing.

4. Protects Against Skin Discolouration:
It lightens dark discoloration like skin freckles and age spots and helps to get younger and smoother skin.

5. Improves Skin Texture:
Without enough nutrients, the skin will become rough and dry. Creams containing Vitamin C improves the appearance and texture of the skin.It increases elastin formation which thickens, protects and heals skin cells. The thickening effect helps to retain moisture, increases skin circulation and plumps up the skin surface.

6. Improves Hair Growth:
Low intake of Vitamin C may be a root cause for a number of hair related problems that affect our hair growth. Vitamin C deficiency may result in dry hair and split ends. These conditions are not favourable for hair to grow regularly.
Free radicals damage our hair by making it weak, brittle and thin. These conditions interrupt hair growth. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties reduce the formation of free radicals and minimises its effect on our body. Having an adequate supply of Vitamin C in our diet is essential for antioxidant protection against free radicals.
People who take huge amount of Vitamin C have healthy, strong and thick hair.

7. Fights Dandruff:
Our hair follicles often get clogged due to dandruff and dry flaky skin. This can damage the hair follicles if not treated and also inhibit hair growth. Vitamin C helps to fight the bacteria on the scalp. It wards off dandruff and helps to get rid of the follicles debris and encourage new hair to grow. It also helps with dry and itchy scalps because of its anti-viral properties.

8. Stops Hair Loss:
It is used to reverse Adrenal gland fatigue. This is crucial for stopping hair loss and encourages more hair growth since adrenal glands are a key to maintain proper hormonal balance.

9. Thicker Hair:
It also helps to improve blood circulation and strengthens and repairs capillaries too. This is particularly important for getting stronger, thicker hair.

10. Prevents Greying Of Hair:
Vitamin C not only helps to combat hair loss but also helps to retain the natural colour by preventing premature ageing of the hair.

Now that you know the benefits of Vitamin C, make sure you are taking it in the recommended amounts.

2 – Major Source of Vitamin E
This is a major source of vitamin E, which is an important vitamin needed by your skin. Vitamin E is frequently labeled as a skin food because it nourishes your skin and makes it healthy, and almonds have it in abundance.

3 – Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines in Your Face
Because of its various antioxidants and anti aging properties, you can use almonds to reduce wrinkles and fine lines in your face. It can be done by massaging your face regularly with almonds oil.
There are other almonds skin benefits to prevent aging such as reduce black circles around eyes and revitalize your skin.

4 – Help Cure Acne, Pimples, Zits, Blackheads, and Whiteheads
One of almonds skin benefits will be useful for most acne sufferers because almonds can reduce the appearance of acne, along with blackheads and whiteheads.

5 – Cure Constipation and Smooth Your Digestive Process
We know that digestive system is important for our skin health. Almonds can help cure constipation and smooth your digestive process, making your skin glow healthier every day.

That dark pigmentation is a result of extra melanin in the body. Too much sun exposure can trigger the problem, but so can other common causes, such as pregnancy or Addison’s disease. Often home remedies will be enough to do the trick. However, deeper or darker pigmentation might require over the counter medications, prescription medications or even medical intervention in order to help even out your skin tone.

Though the home remedies listed here can help reduce or eliminate pigmentation, always consult a doctor before using these if the pigmentation is the result of pregnancy – you never want to try any remedies while pregnant without first making sure they are safe for your baby.

1. Aloe Vera

The pure gel of aloe vera has been used for thousands of years to cure hundreds of ailments. Create a mask made of pure aloe vera, seaweed and raw honey. Mix it, allow it to settle for 10 minutes and then apply to the pigmentation. Rinse it away with lukewarm water. This treatment for pigmentation will soften the skin and encourage old skin cells to slough away, leading to new skin growth.

2. Lemon and Potato Juice
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which helps to bleach the skin. Potatoes contain catecholase, which helps lighten the skin as well. Mixing both juices and applying them to the pigmentation can help treat the problem.

3. Lemon, Honey, Milk and Orange Peel
The fruit peels contain citric acid, and the honey and milk help bind the peels into a paste that soothes and softens your skin. Simply make a powder of dried orange peel, add some lemon juice and milk, and enough honey to create the proper consistency for a mask. Leave it on the spots for about 15 minutes, then wash away.

4. Fuller’s Earth, Papaya and Vitamin E
This homemade facial mask, applied twice a week, can help reduce the appearance of pigmentation. Mix one half cup of Fuller’s earth with 1 tablespoon of blended papaya. Then pop two Vitamin E capsules – more if you need a thinner consistency – and mix them into the earth and papaya. Leave the mixture on the face for several minutes.

5. Sandalwood Powder
Mix this powerful powder with something that has natural acids, such as tomato juice or cucumber juice. Apply as a mask on a daily basis to reduce the discoloration.

6. Honey and Almond
Blend a tablespoon of almond powder with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of lemon. Make sure you use organic ingredients if at all possible. Apply the mask for your face for 15 minutes, when rinse it away with lukewarm water.

7. Cucumber and Mint
This delightfully cooling mask can help treat pigmentation. Mix six leaves of fresh mint with one raw egg white that has been beaten until frothy. Then crush half of a cucumber until it is a fine paste. Mix it with the mint and the egg, blend it well, then put the mask on your face for 15 minutes. Wash it away with lukewarm water.

8. The Right Diet
Remember, you really are what you eat, so make sure to eat the right foods to treat pigmentation. Anything that is rich in Vitamin E, such as fruits and veggies, can work wonders for reducing the pigmentation from the inside out.

2. Coat cuticles, avoid a mess
Rub some oil around nails to easily remove excess polish. This also helps embark on a nail-art design.

3. Hide chips with textured polish
When a nail chips, instead of removing all my polish and starting over, just slap on a coat of sparkle over the current color. And when get another chip, paint on a little more.

4. Steam nails for a matte look
Put on two quick coats of nail polish while they’re still wet, hold your nails for about three seconds over the steam coming from any simmering food, keeping them about 5 inches above the water. Then watch the magic happen- glossy painted nails turn matte.

5. Take off glitter with felt
To remove sparkly polish, use felt instead of a cotton ball—it works like a gentle Brillo pad.

6. Use Plastic Wrap
Do you want marble designed nails? Paint your nails with the base color of your choice let it dry completely. then apply a coat of the second polish over one nail, then grab a piece of plastic wrap then blot your nails once or twice. it will pull up a bit of the color when you remove it, this will create a marble effect with the base color underneath. Continue until all nails are done.

7. Perfect that French
Stick binder hole reinforcement stickers on your nails, where you like the French manicure to start. then pain as you normally do. PERFECT!

8. Ombre Nails
Paint your two ombre colors on a surface you can easily clean. Mesh the two colors together in the center using a toothpick, then dip a makeup sponge into the 2 colors and apply the polish that was picked up by the sponge into your nail then,there you go..

Like the skin on the neck and chest, the skin on the back of your hands is extremely thin and delicate. Because of the surprising amount of time it has spent soaking up sun over the years. If you don’t protect your hands well with sunscreen, you’ll get that thinned-out, crepey, spottled look. But you can keep them looking young and smooth by pampering them with these few tips:

Keep hands moist
As you probably already know, well-hydrated skin instantly looks less wrinkly. but we’ll repeat it one more time for good measure: When you add moisture, that moisture seeps in and plumps the skin, temporarily smoothing its surface. Moisturize morning and night, and toss a hydrating hand cream in your purse to re-up every time you wash your hands—which could cause extra drying.

Repair skin overnight
If thin, crepey skin on your hands is your biggest aging issue, you could consider using a collagen-stimulating anti-aging serum or cream. There is an easy (and cheap!) at-home treatment for this too. First, put on a heavier, petroleum jelly-based ointment before bed, then slip on a pair of cotton gloves or socks and go to sleep. For women who complain about crinkly or dry skin, it really works wonders to restore suppleness.

Age-Proof Your Hands
It’s not just your face that can give away your age—your hands can also be a telltale sign. Here’s how to keep them smooth and wrinkle-free.

And now .. a miraculous remedy

The Home Remedy
A hand massage isn’t just relaxing—it also increases blood flow, tightening up sagging skin, Once a week, shake out your hands for one minute to loosen them up, then put three to four drops of olive oil onto your left palm. Using small circular movements and medium pressure, work your right thumb over your palm and up and down each finger. Turn over your hand and repeat the process, then repeat with your other hand.

Drinking lemon water every morning is a simple routine to get into and will have tremendous effects on your health.

There are so many health benefits of lemons that have been known for years. Lemon’s most important benefits are their strong antibacterial, antiviral, immune-boosting powers and their use as a weight loss aid. Lemons are also packed with vitamin C, B, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, enzymes, antioxidants, and fibers.
So wait no more and jump start your day with this incredibly simple morning routine.

HOW TO DO IT:
Lukewarm water (not scalding hot)
Use fresh lemons (Organic if possible, not bottled lemon juice)
Squeeze 1/2 a lemon with each glass and drink it first thing in the morning before you eat a single thing or workout.

Benefits to Drinking Warm Lemon Water Every Morning:

1) Promotes Better Digestion
Lemon juice flushes out unwanted materials and toxins from the body. It’s atomic composition is similar to saliva and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that is required for digestion.

Lemons are also high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen ama, or toxins, in the digestive tract. The digestive qualities of lemon juice help to relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as heartburn, belching and bloating. The American Cancer Society actually recommends offering warm lemon water to cancer sufferers to help stimulate bowel movements.

2) Cleanses Your System and is a Diuretic
Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials in part because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body. Therefore toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy. The citric acid in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, which stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification.

3) Boosts Your Immune System
Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, and is used as complementary support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms plus it enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an important role in immune function.
Lemons also contain saponins, which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu at bay. Lemons also reduce the amount of phlegm produced by the body.

4) Balances pH Levels
Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for the body. Sure, they are acidic on their own, but inside our bodies they’re alkaline (the citric acid does not create acidity in the body once metabolized). Lemons contain both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood.
Disease states only occur when the body pH is acidic. Drinking lemon water regularly can help to remove overall acidity in the body, including uric acid in the joints, which is one of the primary causes of pain and inflammation.

5) Clears Skin
The vitamin C component as well as other antioxidants helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes and it helps to combat free radical damage. Vitamin C is vital for healthy glowing skin while its alkaline nature kills some types of bacteria known to cause acne. It can actually be applied directly to scars or age spots to help reduce their appearance.
Since lemon water purges toxins from your blood, it would also be helping to keep your skin clear of blemishes from the inside out. The vitamin C contained in the lemon rejuvenates the skin from within your body.

6) Energizes and Enhances Your Mood
The energy a human receives from food comes from the atoms and molecules in your food. A reaction occurs when the positive charged ions from food enter the digestive tract and interact with the negative charged enzymes. Lemon is one of the few foods that contain more negative charged ions, providing your body with more energy when it enters the digestive tract. The scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and energizing properties. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.

7) Promotes Healing
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), found in abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing, and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of healthy bones, connective tissue, and cartilage. As noted previously, vitamin C also displays anti-inflammatory properties. Combined, vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress and injury.

8) Freshens Breath
Besides fresher breath, lemons have been known to help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. Be aware that citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so you should be mindful of this. No not brush your teeth just after drinking your lemon water. It is best to brush your teeth first, then drink your lemon water, or wait a significant amount of time after to brush your teeth. Additionally, you can rinse your mouth with purified water after you finish your lemon water.

9) Hydrates Your Lymph System
Warm water and lemon juice supports the immune system by hydrating and replacing fluids lost by your body. When your body is deprived of water, you can definitely feel the side effects, which include: feeling tired, sluggish, decreased immune function, constipation, lack of energy, low/high blood pressure, lack of sleep, lack of mental clarity and feeling stressed, just to name a few.

10) Aids in Weight Loss
Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. Studies have shown people who maintain a more alkaline diet, do in fact lose weight faster. I personally find myself making better choices throughout the day, if I start my day off right, by making a health conscious choice to drink warm lemon water first thing every morning.

11) Boost Brain Power
The high levels of potassium and magnesium show beneficial effects on our brain and nerve health. Lemon water can give you the boost you need to fight depression and stress. It creates mental clarity and more focus, making it a great drink for students or people with busy and stressful jobs.